Sips, Sweets & Snacks

It feels like Spring is finally peeking through the clouds, but I think I speak for all of us Canadians when I say we’re all feeling a bit vitamin and nutrient deprived. As the season switches, it’s more important than ever to refuel and get back to our fit, sun-kissed summer selves. Our favourite way to charge up on those vitamins comes from our sunny southern neighbours: Florida Orange Juice!

When Jo and I headed to OrangeTheory fitness last week for a we were in for a rude Spring awakening. This crazy intense workout class involves all sorts of different machines and maneuvers, but most importantly, heart rate monitors that show how hard you’re working on a screen (visible to your instructor and everyone in class!)

Needless to say we survived, but we were pretty much killing ourselves to keep our heart rate healthy the entire hour. Both dizzy and a bit disoriented when we left the big orange gym, we were greeted with the best surprise: fresh, crisp Florida Orange Juice.

Growing up we always got slices of orange after soccer games, and it wasn’t without reason – oranges are full of vitamin C, folate and potassium, which makes it the perfect addition to your workout recovery. Inspired by our day at OrangeTheory, Jo and I went home and whipped up our new favourite smoothie, inspired by (healthy) orange creamsicles and Florida Orange Juice.

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Ingredients //

Florida Orange Juice
Unsweetened almond milk
Vega’s vanilla protein powder
Fresh oranges, peeled
Ice cubes

Recipe //

Start by peeling and cutting up an orange into small cubes, place in the freezer overnight or for a few hours.

In a blender (we used a Vitamix for extra ice-crushing power), combine 2 cups orange juice, 1 cup almond milk, 2 tablespoons protein powder, the frozen orange pieces and two handfuls of ice.

Blend until smooth and garnish with a fresh orange slice!

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This post was sponsored, but all opinions are my own. To inquire about sponsored posts, please email jess@shineinfluencers.com

Sips, Sweets & Snacks

I consider myself so lucky to be surrounded by such a loving, inspiring community here in Toronto, and sometimes those connections lead to special connections elsewhere too. I was introduced to Ashley through a mutual veggie loving friend, and though we’ve never met in person (fingers crossed for this summer!) we have a great collaborative online relationship, and often turn to one another for blogging advice and anti-animal cruelty solidarity.

Ashley’s site Rae of Sunshine is one of my absolute favourite places to find meal inspiration every week, and her creativity in the kitchen never ceases to amaze me. Her dedication to healthy living and a balanced vegan diet is so swoon-worthy, and it really helps me get my act together when it comes to being lazy with cooking. When Ashley asked me a few weeks ago if I’d be interested in taking a look at her new E-Book “Start With Smoothies”, I immediately took out my blender, drew up a grocery list, and got my mix on!

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A simple, beautifully designed e-book, Start With Smoothies contains seven delicious smoothie recipes, and each and every one is sure to put a spring in your step morning after morning. Being the sun-lover that I am, I was immediately drawn to Ashley’s “Sunshine in A Jar” smoothie, and with my own special twist it has quickly become my go-to on these bright Spring mornings. I call it the “Sunrise in A Jar” because of the pink hue the strawberries add, and here’s how you can make it for yourself:

Ingredients //

2 bananas
2 cups of fresh pineapple (cored and peeled)
1 peeled orange
1.5 cups coconut milk

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1 scoop Vega Coconut Almond Protein Powder
1 cup fresh strawberries

Recipe //

Simply blend all of the ingredients together until smooth! I highly recommend doubling the recipe so you can take a jar of sunshine to work with you for later in the day.

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A special thanks to Ashley of Rae of Sunshine for letting me share this recipe! Follow her on Instagram for lots of other delicious recipes and healthy eating tips